I Love the World

IMPROVEMENT ERA

hammock under the cool, breezy trees, a messenger boy ran in with a telegram. I trembled as I opened the paper. It was from him. When I read the message my heart thrilled. I knew then that he cared, that he, too, had suffered during these months of misunderstanding. In a visionary flash I saw our happiness — ahead, two lives merging into one grand realm. I was su- premely happy, and yet all that the message said was: "Did not receive your letter of acceptance. Send duplicate immediately. Sincerely yours, Ray." Bunkerville, Nevada.

I Love the World

I love the world with all its cares, With all its clouds and rain; I love it though it freely shares With me its cares and pain; I love it still when blizzards roar, When snow-flakes fill the air, Or when God's thunder shakes my door, And livid lightnings glare.

I love this world, aye, love it well, When azure skies smile down Upon some shady mountain dell, Where shadows lose their frown; And when some songster trills a lay Of never-ending mirth, I fancy that his warbles sav, "I love you, Mother Earth!"

I love the world for its own sake; I love its smiles and tears; I love it where the wild waves break And where the hot sun sears; I love its hills, its vales, its peaks, Its beauties all unfurled; I love its rippling, babbling creeks I love this dear old world!

I love the earth because she's true, Her bounty shelters me; Her products suckled on her dew Are sweet as foods can be Her moon is mine each summer night, All mine her skies of blue, — Her sunshine all for my delight, I love the world, don't you?

H. R. Merrill. Preston, Idaho.